March, Or June?
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WARM IS THE WORD: The warmest weather so far this year will headline our forecast through the weekend and into early next week, as an upper air ridge builds across the Gulf Coast states.
We are predicting a high of 81 degrees today, which is 15 degrees above the average high of 66, and within 3 degrees of the record high for March 14, 84 set in 1967. We have low clouds and some fog early this morning, but the day will feature a mix of sun and clouds with just a few widely scattered showers or storms later. Most places will be dry.
REST OF THE WEEK AND THE WEEKEND: Looks like we will be very close to record warmth, with highs between 80 and 85 on a daily basis through Sunday. The GFS is printing a high of 85 tomorrow, and if that verifies that will be a new record for March 15. With a degree of low level moisture trapped, we will hang on to a chance of widely scattered showers each day through Saturday, but the upper ridge gets even stronger Sunday and early next week, thanks to a very deep and cold upper trough over the western U.S. So, we won’t mention any chance of showers Sunday and Monday. No doubt it will be much more like June instead of March.
We do note a significant severe weather setup seems to be shaping up for parts of West Texas, and the panhandles of Texas and Oklahoma by the weekend as the big upper trough forms out west, but the good news is that there is no chance of organized severe weather for Alabama for the next seven days.
LONG RANGE: Not much overall change… no sign of a late season freeze, heavy rain, or severe weather for Alabama for the rest of March as the summer-like pattern continues. But, no doubt we will be due for at least one late season freeze threat in April. Almost always happens here. See the Weather Xtreme video for more long range ideas.
AT THE BEACH: Looks great though early next week from Panama City west to Gulf Shores. You will deal with morning fog daily, otherwise expect mostly sunny days and fair nights. The high on the immediate coast will be near 70, with mid to upper 70s inland. Sea water temperatures remain cool, generally in the mid 60s.
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I will be doing a weather program this morning at South Lamar School in Millport…. look for the next Weather Xtreme video here by 3:30 or so this afternoon. Enjoy the day!
Category: Alabama's Weather
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James Spann is one of the most recognized and trusted television meteorologists in the industry. He holds the AMS CCM designation and television seals from the AMS and NWA. He is a past winner of the Broadcast Meteorologist of the Year from both professional organizations.Subscribe
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